Saturday, September 25, marks what would be the 80^th birthday of Shel Silverstein.  Many will recognize that name right away.  If you don’t recognize the name, you will likely know his work.  He filled the last half of the 20^th century with music, poetry, illustration, children’s stories, and plays.

Silverstein is one of the reasons I wanted to become an artist as a boy.  I recall trying to mimic his style and attempting to write my very own poems after reading Where the Sidewalk Ends for the first time.  That was over thirty years ago and I can’t help but wonder how many other kids have been impacted by his work.  Later, as a parent, I read The Giving Tree to my sons, although it was an earlier work.  I have read this book dozens of times now… and have gotten choked up as often.

You may recognize some of his songwriting.  He was responsible for the Johnny Cash hit “A Boy Named Sue” (Grammy winner), Dr. Hook’s “The Cover of The Rolling Stone”, and the Irish Rover’s “Unicorn Song” (green alligators and long-necked geese).  He wrote many other songs, as well, and was nominated for  an Academy Award and Golden Globe for his song “I’m Checkin’ Out” from the movie Postcards From the Edge.

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